That does sound great! I prefer a small, somewhat intimate gathering of
friends, rather than a huge bash. Even though you were in a restaurant,
you had the place to yourselves, so in some ways it was like having it at
someone's house - someone with servants who keep providing you with food
and drinks. :)

I usually have, or go to, a small party with more or less the same group
of friends every year. But this year, the two people I usually make the
plans with each had other plans. I got invited to a party by someone in
one of my musical groups, and I knew it would be one of those crowded
affairs where I don't know many people, and everyone's in little clumps
having private conversations. Not my favorite way to bring in a new year,
but it was either that or spend the evening watching Animal Planet. :)

When I first got there, it was extremely packed and the house was really
hot. A few folks I know were there, including all 4 members of my music
group, so that was nice, but mostly it was full of strangers. I'm not
really that shy and I have no problem going to parties where I don't know
anyone, but for New Year's I like to be with people I'm close to.

However, this turned out to be a friendly and interesting group. The
party's theme was "Bollywood" and they played videos of Bollywood movies
while a Bollywood soundtrack provided the music. At one point there was
a performance by a belly dancer, doing, you know, the traditional
Bollywood belly dance. :) OK, so there was a mish mash of cultural
influences. There was lots of good food and interesting people, and
overall it was worth going to.

Joyce